It was a bright sunshiny morning, nay almost lunch when Polly emerged from the Hotel du Rhin, starving.

Victor too was headed from the hotel after a morning of observing patrons about the Hotel for a potential involvement in the case (no luck yet though). Now that it was lunch, he was ready for a hearty meal before kicking it into gear in the afternoon of more investigation.

The conceigere at her hotel had finally found her trunks and had the delivered up to the hotel this morning, early. Too early after her late night. She wore a light clingy cashmere, cornflower blue sweater and calf-length a-line skirt.

As she walked the streets she was drawn by whimsy to a adorable little cafe with outdoor seating. There was only one table left, and despite the waiting line a few words to the host and strategic batting of eyelashes she secured the last table available.

Victor approached his favorite cafe, looking around in disappointment- every table, and nearly every table was taken. Terribly disappointed, he glances around the crowd, and voila- he spots a lady with a blue sweater. He approaches her quickly (unless someone else might!) and says to her in the fastest (but terribly spoken) French he could muster, "Madamoiselle, est-il bien si je vous...ummm..... joins pour le déjeuner sil vous plait ? Vous ...er....semblez vous asseoir à la ... well, last table here... et j'ai tout à fait faim."* He hopes that the lady caught at least part of that and would allow him to sit with her.

"Umm.. no parlay vous France?" She replies coquettishly... "Do ya speak American?"

"Oh thank God," Victor replied, "I am terrible with French. Yes, I speak English. Would it be alright if I join you? Yours is the last available seat, and I feel terribly forward for asking, but I am famished."

She looks him up and down with the eyes of a predator. Last night she got off without having to show a red-cent and if she wanted to stay in Paris long she would have to conserve her pennies. This only, checking out his attire could be good for a lunch at least, maybe a few drinks."Sure, I love Paris, but it is nice to speak to someone who knows home a bit too."

"Thank you, ma'am, you are kind and may I offer to buy your lunch and mine for your gratitude." He sits next to her, pulling his seat close to the table to avoid hitting the crowded chairs behind him. He extends a hand. "My name is Victor Marius, how do you do."

"Polly Nestor." She extends her hand to be held by the boyishly handsome stranger. "Funny I make a study of accents and cannot quite place yours." She grins impshily.

"I am from all over actually," Victor replied, shaking Ms. Nestor's hand. "I was born in Britain to American parents, and lived there for some time until moving to America when I was a teenager. After that, I have lived in Europe, various parts. You are an American?"

She grins. And just as she is to answer the waiter appears with the wine list. Polly defers it to Victor. He makes a fine light white wine choice, perfect for a picnic lunch. As the tuxedo leaves, Polly replies "I sure am. I'm surprised you haven't seen be fore-- in pictures I mean. I was one of Cleopatra's attendants in one of the latest silent out of the studios. But I'm originally the Midwest."

"Forgive me, I will be sure to invest more in pictures then," he replies, smiling. "What brings you to Paris?"

The girl sighs prettily. "A travesty. I needed a change of scene, as all the players in my last were not on the up and up.I'm here to forget a killjoy director actually. I needed some fun in my life and with the egg I saved from a few celliods I was itching to see Paris and all of its adventures."

"Paris is a good place for adventure I hear, you picked a well time of year for it also." They are interrupted by the waiter again and order, soup dou'jour.

"I found a swanky gin mill last night, to listen to hotsy-totsy music, though my night was cut short by some piker complaining about people being shot and being ruined for his art career." She sips the newly arrived glass of wine and nibbles into a slice of bread left by the waiter.

"Art career?" Victor asks, very interested. "Who was this person that you speak of? What type of art career?"

"Not sure they were loud and rude. He had some exhibit ruined by a torpedo (hired gun) that got his arm. Some sister, I think, and a friend were with him. I dunno,all I know is he splashed my evening. First night in Paris too." Her eyebrows lower and forehead shows lines of annoyance at the memory.

"Ms. Nestor," Victor says, leaning forward in his chair towards her in discreteness. "I am a private investigator and I am looking for such a character. Please, have my card." He hands it to her.



"Do you think, rather, would you be willing to assist me in this search? If you have seen him once, you may find him again, and he may be just the man I'm after- him and individuals that he associates with. Of course, I would pay you for your assistance..."

The forehead wrinkled suddenly smooths with surprise. "A P.I.? You putting me on? What kinda caper is this?" As Victor begins to speak they are interrupted by their soup and to get rid of the obtrusive attendant both order quickly, as the feelings of hunger are replaced with interest and excitement.

"I am a hired PI, investigating a ring of art thievery, and I have followed the trail from Barcelona to Paris. I am certain that the man I am looking for is close by, I only need a good break and hard evidence to close the case. What do you say- would you be willing to help?"

"Well, I really don't feel comfortable taking your rube (money) in a job. But I've a mind to help you if you promise me one thing. I'd have a chance to get dolled up and have a night on the town with you later. And if in that time you want to give me a few nice presents, or a dress, or dinner-- I'd be keen." She turned on her full charisma at this point wondering what scheme this dick (word for PI) was up to really and if he was Jake (OK).

"You got it," he agreed, shaking her hand to seal the deal.


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*translation = "Miss, is it well if I join you for the lunch please? You seem to sit to the last table, and I am completely hungry."